SAN Miguel Beer prized center June Mar Fajardo played the entire second half of Game 3 of their PBA Philippine Cup title duel with Meralco last Sunday night.
Fajardo was left huffing and puffing when the dust settled in the highly physical and nip-and-tuck tiff where the Bolts eked out a 93-89 decision for a 2-1 series lead.
Fajardo admitted Meralco’s frontline of Raymond Almazan, Brandon Bates, Kyle Pascual, and Norbert Torres–who took turns pushing and banging bodies with the reigning seven-time MVP–gave him fits.
Ditto with wily guards Chris Newsome and Chris Banchero who attacked Fajardo’s defense with daredevil drives.
“Maganda iyong depensa nila. Sobrang dami nilang bigs tapos mabilis iyong rotation nila so nakakapagod din,” Fajardo said. “Marami kaming shots na namintis na dapat nai-shoot namin tapos marami rin silang offensive rebounds.
“Iyon ang pinoint out ni coach. Dapat ma-improve namin iyon,” he added.
While the Bolts have re-taken the driver’s seat in the Big Dance, Fajardo is unfazed.
“Credit din sa kanila. Sobrang ganda ng inilalaro nila throughout the series na ito,” Fajardo said. “Long series ito, for sure long series ito. Gagawin namin lahat para maka-bounce back next game. Ganoon talaga.”
The fourth match of the race-to-4 showdown is set tomorrow at 7:35 p.m. after the pro league fetes the Best Player of the Conference–where Fajardo is the pacesetter.
Saddled with foul trouble, Fajardo could only muster 12 points on five tries and committed a game-high seven turnovers.
What the charges of Beermen coach Jorge Gallent can do is lick their wounds fast and recover and forge a virtual best-of-3 battle.
Perhaps a two-day respite could galvanize ‘The Kraken.’
“Sabi nga ni coach, hindi namin nailaro iyong San Miguel basketball and kailangan pa namin ng extra passes so iyon ang pinoint out ni coach after the game. Iyon nga, bawi na lang kamin next game,” Fajardo said. “Malaking bagay iyong pahinga para sa amin, lalo na sa akin.
